The Washington critic., 1887-05-28

Mechanics Bank, in his office, and asked
for bis views on West Washington's present
and prospective future. Mr.. Laird was
very reserved and cautious in his statements,
and would net admit that the place was
either enjoying a great prosperity now, or
that the prospects were good for her future.
This was to be expected Of the conservative
manager Of this very conservative bank.
Mr.. Laird admitted, however, that George
town was likely to improve with Washing.
ton.
THE FUTURE OF GEORGETOWN.
The following interview was printed In
last Saturdays CRITIC and credited to
VIII. H. Morgan. Mr.. VIM. A. Gordon,
the well.known attorney, is the gentleman
quoted, and he probably knows as much
about Georgetown us the average WASH
ington citizen.
"AnythinC l may say In regard to George
town and It's surroundings may possibly be
taken with certain grains Of allowance, as
am native born Georgetown man, have
passed my whole life there, and am inter-
ested In every foot Of 1t. You ask what
think Of the future Of Georgetown, and
whether in my opinion It Is a good place for
investment. / will answer the second in.
quiry first, and say that know OF no part
Of the District where iudicious Investments
will bring better return, and where there
is less chance Of depreciation In value should
any financial crisis occur. My reasons for
this are: that Georgetown is not new place,
but town well built up, and to certain
extent In the vigor OF mature life. There
are comparatively few mortgages on prop
erty and consequently few forced sales
which In time Of financial trouble have an
influence on surrounding property.
"In view Of the fact that there is but little
unimproved property In the town proper,
there is not much room for large specula-
tive schemes, but all lots offered for sale
find ready purchasers at good prices. 1t
has been said that there Is but little activity
in real estate in the Ancient Cemetery Is
this corrects 1t is true that there are In the
upper part of the city large bodies OF
ground which are not in the market, but
this is explained by the fact that these are
old places which have been occupied by the
owners and their ancestors since before the
cession Of the District, and having pride In
their old homes and being under no Pc
cuniary pressure, the owners have pre-.
ferred to keep their houses intact rather
than subdivide and sell. 1t is, however,
the fact that where old places have been
subdivided and sold that the prices have
been good and purchasers been numerous.
In my own experience in the past Ave
years, l have as trustee in equity subdi-
vided and sold lands which have since been
resold at from one to four hundred per
cent. advance on the price thought by the
court to be adequate.
"In regard to the future OF Georgetown,
would say that In my opinion the pros.
pects are unusually bright. In the past few
years people have awakened to the fact
that they could purchase and build In
Georgetown at prices ridiculously low In
comparison with ruling rates for less eligi.
bic property In Washington, and the result
has been an unusual amount OF improve,
ment In every direction.
"Aside from the natural beauties OF the
town, which all admit, and the advantages
Of societies, churches and schools, George.
town offers special inducements to those
seeking homes In the fact that the water sup.
ply is most abundant; that In summer there
is never falling river breeze at night; tina,
there Is remarkably well-selected fres
library, the Peabody, and superior fres
night-school for young men, the Linthicum
Institute. Besides this, investors should no,
lose sight Of the new bridge building over
the Potomac at the Aqueduct and the GER
tainty Of the early Improvement Of Rock
Creek, both OF which cannot fail to produce
beneficial results and enhance the value Of
property.
t."I would also say that l consider the
country northwest Of Georgetown as that In
which any expansion Of the city would be
located. have recently been over large
portion OF the land lying near to and west
Of the Tenlsytown turnpike, and, after care.